Your best friend’s cousin just got their real estate license—and now they’re “ready” to help you buy or sell your next home. On the surface, it sounds convenient and supportive. But when you zoom out, you realize you’re talking about the biggest financial move you’ll likely make in the next decade. This is not the time to do someone a favor.

The Risk of Letting Someone “Practice” on Your Deal

A fresh license means someone passed a test, not that they’ve navigated real offers, tense negotiations, appraisal issues, inspection surprises, or last-minute lender chaos. A brand-new agent without strong mentorship can easily miss things like:

• 
  

  Pricing strategy that leaves tens of thousands of dollars on the table.

  
  


• 
  

  Negotiation red flags from the other side that a seasoned agent spots instantly.

  
  


• 
  

  Contract deadlines, local rules, or required notices that could blow up your deal.

  
  


• 
  

  Off-market or coming-soon opportunities only active, connected agents know about.

  
  


• 
  

  How to structure a clean, compelling offer that actually wins in a competitive situation.

  
  

When that learning curve happens on your transaction, you’re the one carrying the financial risk.

When a New Agent Can Still Be a Safe Choice

New doesn’t always mean unsafe—context matters. If your friend’s cousin is new but plugged into a strong team, has a hands-on mentor, and is backed by clear systems and oversight, that’s a very different story. They can lean on experienced agents for pricing, strategy, and problem-solving while still giving you great service and attention. The red flag is when a brand-new agent is figuring it out alone, with no real support, using your purchase or sale as their training ground.

Protect What You’ve Worked So Hard For

You’ve spent years building savings, equity, and credit to be able to buy or sell a home. The person guiding you through that process should know what they’re doing, have experience with your type of situation, and be able to tell you what can go wrong—not just what can go right. You don’t need perfection, but you do need competence, strategy, and someone who has seen enough real-world scenarios to keep you out of trouble.

If you still want to support your friend’s cousin, there are options: ask them to co-list with a seasoned agent, have them shadow the transaction, or bring them in on showings while an experienced lead negotiates and manages the contract. That way you protect your future and still encourage their career.

Hi, ?? I’m Lauren Kerschen, a Realtor and Team Lead at DFW’s Finest Real Estate Group. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in DFW—especially Fort Worth and the southern suburbs—and want experienced guidance instead of guesswork, I’d love to connect.